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Store Brand Scorecard has done enough studying to know that store brands aren't just knock-offs anymore. You can get cheap, quality private label products in place of national brands (oftentimes, we recommend it), but the grocery stores are wising up. They're tired of playing copycat. In some cases, store brands are the only brands you're going to see for certain products.

Two cases in points: maple-flavored cream sandwich cookies and French sparkling lemonade. We've been to many a store and have yet to find national brands carrying these products (at least in the Chicago area, where we are). But both types of products are sold at Safeway company stores and at Trader Joe's locations. Typically Store Brand Scorecard pits four brands of a type of food or drink against each other. In these rare cases, there were no national brand equivalents and in fact, no other store brand varieties.

With fall starting to set in, now seemed like a great time to try these unique cookie treats, and with summer not too faint of a memory, wash 'em down with a cool, refreshing drink, to see which store brand is the best brand for your money. All products were purchased Sept. 18 in the Chicago area. Prices are subject to change.

Greatest Value: Dominick's maple cookies cost less, and you get more (24 to Trader Joe's 15). But Trader Joe's cookies are bigger, in terms of size, and also taste. For the latter reason especially, the difference is significant enough to warrant a win for Trader Joe's, even if it costs 40 cents more. On a scale of 0 to 10, Safeway Select maple cookies get a score of 7 and Trader Joe's a score of 8.

Greatest Value: Folks, we have a complete tie. The brands have the same nutritional facts, the same taste, the same serving and the same price. Value score for Safeway Select and Trader Joe's: 7.

Piet Levy's Store Brand Scorecard tests a major label food product and three private label equivalents to see which brand offers the best value for the price. It appears every Monday on WalletPop's Money College page. Send suggestions, including items you want Levy to try, to moneycollege@walletpop.